A new program offering financial relief to essential workers in Connecticut who contracted COVID-19 has been launched.

The Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund, authorized by the legislature in June, was created to help ease the financial burden for incidents between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.

Eligible essential workers can apply for benefits to cover lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses and burial expenses.

Comptroller Natalie Braswell says frontline workers made immense sacrifices to keep the state functioning during the pandemic and she encourage eligible workers to apply as soon as possible for the relief.

Danbury Senator Julie Kushner says the website allows workers to determine their eligibility and apply for benefits. Applications will be accepted through July 20th. The program can distribute up to $34 million on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30th 2024, or until the fund is depleted.

The program assists with lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses and burial expenses.  This is for unpaid leave and lost wages if an employee was unable to work after contracting COVID-19, or due to symptoms later diagnosed as COVID-19.  This is also for medical services related to contracting COVID-19 that were not covered by insurance and funeral expenses of $3,000 for an eligible essential worker who died from COVID-19.

Eligible essential workers can apply for reimbursement of lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses, or both.  Families can apply for any combination of the three benefits on behalf of a qualified essential worker who died after contracting COVID-19.